With a trio of creative directors at its helm and an innate desire to foster collaboration and community and every level, salon-meets-creative space Drake on Drake offers an elevated hair experience in the heart of the Victoria Park precinct.
Headed by co-founders and industry disruptors, Gene Cooksley, Jennifer Good and Gene Edwards (AKA Ed), the salon is the result of a long and shared history that has seen the trio hone their vision for a creative space that acknowledges the past, while looking firmly to the future.
“Our approach is completely unique, and I think we are going to set the industry on fire,” says highly respected industry educator and editorial stylist Ed, who has worked behind the scenes at global fashion weeks and on set with some of Aotearoa’s most respected photographers and editors. “We want our salon to be inspiring to more than just the people who work here, a space where people can feel supported, be creative and elevate themselves to the highest level of their art.”
Co-founder Gene agrees, adding “our intention is to offer a beautiful space where clients can feel immediately at ease, while also creating community and fostering creativity at every level. We all have our strengths and want to keep moving and educating, and welcome others in the industry to use our city fringe, multi-use space as their own.”
“We really are in a position to create a platform where we can re-shape the future of hairdressing in Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Jennifer, the sole New Zealand talent flown to Australia to compete in the Redken 2026 Gloss Boss Awards last month, where she took home a win in the highly competitive competition. Her work is famous for its polished finishes, seamless blends and glossing that reads as both technical and instinctive, and her passion for creating beautiful colour unmatched.
Part-creative space and part-salon, Drake on Drake has hosted shoots, classes, launch events and served as a base for visiting artists to service their New Zealand-based clients since opening its doors, and invites collaborators from all areas of the industry to stop by and see what can be achieved when people work together for the good of the whole.
“Drake means community, it means collaboration and it means inspiration,” says Ed, “and this is just the beginning”.
Photo: Andrew Coffey
www.drakeondrakest.nz
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